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4.5 out of 5

Fast VPN for Smooth Browsing & Streaming

What does it take to get a fast VPN?

  • Fast and up to date server hardware
  • At least 1Gbps port connected per server
  • IKEv2 and OpenVPN protocols
  • Market-leading AES-256-GCM encryption
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Don’t take our word for it - see what tech experts have to say

“A feature-rich service with blazing speeds and a security focus.”

CNET refers to Surfshark as having “competitive speeds” with an average speed loss of just 27%. Most VPN’s speed loss is at 50% or more.


cnet.com

“Surfshark offers good speeds, compatibility with Netflix, and a solid number of country connections.”

PCWorld tests show excellent speeds in the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom.


PCWorld.com

“There was good news all round. We had no connection failures, connection times were [...] faster than average.”

TechRadar sum up their review by writing that Surfshark delivers a very acceptable performance. Even the lowest speed recorded was “more than enough for most people.”


TechRadar.com

“[Surfshark’s] performance is solid in terms of download speeds.”

Tom’s Guide writes that Surfshark connects without a glitch, with faster-than-average connection times, and praises fast and safe torrenting.


TomsGuide.com

What makes a fast VPN?

The latest server hardware makes all the difference

Surfshark uses top quality fast servers optimized for speed and security.

All of our servers have at least 1Gbps port connected. The number increases depending on the location: our servers in the USA and the UK have 2x10Gbps per server.

We optimize our servers to get the best speed so that users get the lowest latency and the most minimal speed reduction when connecting to servers abroad.

VPN protocols offer a subtle change in speed

Up-to-date VPN protocols are like a good engine that keeps the VPN running. Surfshark uses only globally acknowledged security protocols.IKEv2 is an overall favorite, known for speed and strong security. You can also choose the OpenVPN protocol: it’s open-sourced, meaning the code is available online for cybersecurity experts to make improvements.

OpenVPN over UDP offers faster connection; meanwhile, OpenVPN over TCP is more stable.

Note: If you’re new to the VPN world, the word “protocol” can sound intimidating. Don’t worry, changing your protocol settings is harmless, and the difference is mostly subtle.

State-of-the-art encryption is essential to a top VPN

Surfshark uses industry-leading, fast AES-256-GCM encryption that keeps your data locked in. A VPN software encrypts and decrypts every packet of data, making sure your browsing history and personal information aren’t accessible to anyone.Note: Strong encryption might cause minimal drops in speed, but it’s usually 10-20% from your regular internet speed. A dip this small has no negative effect on your daily browsing, streaming, and torrenting.

The impact of external factors

External factors can make your fast VPN slow down. Some examples include:

  • Your internet speed without a VPN
  • Older Android or iOS devices, older routers, etc.
  • Antivirus software
  • Applications with high demand for bandwidth running in the background (e.g., torrents)
Learn more

Surfshark features to be excited about

Forget about internet throttling

Some internet service providers (especially in the USA) impose data caps on how much data you can use in a specific period. As bandwidth decreases, your internet connection slows down. A VPN can help with that and even improve your internet speed by masking your IP address.

Quick Connect to the fastest server

One click of a button and a VPN connects you to the speediest available server. It’s usually a near-by location or a neighboring country. You don’t have to be connected to a server on the other side of the world to be protected.

Block ads with Cleanweb

Did you know that ads can slow down your internet speed and use up your mobile data? That’s why Surfshark offers a CleanWeb feature that gets rid of advertisements and blocks malware.

Improve speeds with Split Tunneling

If you have a VPN on and you’re using several applications that require high bandwidth, you might experience slower speeds than usual. Try Split Tunneling (this feature is called Whitelister on Surfshark), as it allows you to choose apps that won’t be protected with a VPN. For example, you may not need a VPN to run on Youtube; therefore, you can whitelist it.

Get a fast VPN that keeps up the pace

Run with Surfshark